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Authors
Viegas, Carla
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Background: Waste from non-biodegradable materials is sorted on waste sorting units to produce recyclable raw materials, leading to direct access to waste by workers. The organic residues present on waste serve as the substrate for numerous microorganisms, increasing workers' exposure to biological agents. Waste industry increases workers exposure to microbial contaminants, such as fungi and bacteria (bioburden) and previous studies reported health risks associated with such environments. Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as Filtering Respiratory Protective Devices (FRPD) and mechanical protection gloves are of mandatory use. Aspergillus spp. species are filamentous fungi commonly found in different environmental compartments, where they thrive as saprophytes. Some species among the Aspergillus genera can be occasionally harmful to humans. Only a few species are considered as significant opportunistic pathogens in humans. Aspergillus section Fumigati is an opportunistic pathogen of immunocompromised hosts and one of several Aspergillus species that cause a wide range of respiratory disorders.
Description
Project EXPOsE - Project nº 23222 (02/SAICT/2016).
Project "Waste Workers’ Exposure to Bioburden through Filtering Respiratory Protective Devices” - IPL/2018/WasteFRPD_ESTeSL
Project "Waste Workers’ Exposure to Bioburden through Filtering Respiratory Protective Devices” - IPL/2018/WasteFRPD_ESTeSL
Keywords
Environmental health Environmental exposure Occupational exposure Waste industry Aspergillus-associated diseases Project nº 23222 (02/SAICT/2016) Project EXPOsE IPL/2018/WasteFRPD_ESTeSL
Citation
Viegas C, Almeida B. Environmental health: environmental microbiology relevance for occupational health intervention. In: 2nd Lisbon International Forum on Occupational Health – Occupational Health Benefits for the Public Health, Culturgest Auditorium, Lisbon (Portugal), November 23, 2019.